Monday Masters: Nick Turpin

When my fellow photog Chris picked Nick Turpin for our weekly Monday Masters challenge I was just as nervous as I was excited. Along with Matt Stuart, Turpin is one of my favourite contemporary photographers at present, so I was aware of a difficult choice thats in front of me. I have to pick ONE image.

Nick Turpin is a British photographer and a founder of the first international street photography collective “In-Public”. For full bio, click here.

In one of the interviews Turpin describes how freedom of street photography brings him joy and self-content. “It makes me feel special just to be there, not to be chatting or shopping or heading anywhere. I feel like I’m invisible to the passing crowds. This leads to a loss of my sense of self, which is the finest feeling of all.”

I admire his humble approach to his own work and contribution to the society. He’s just an observer who documents life, one frame at a time. ” My personal pictures don’t have to “do” anything. They don’t have to sell in a gallery or sit well beside the ads in a magazine. They don’t easily categorized. They’re not reportage, they are just pictures about life.”

I picked it as my favourite for the following reasons: Its funny – the man’s upper body is lying down however his legs are elegantly crossed. The image is divided in two – a juxtaposition of green grass representing life and freedom vs cold stoned pavement and a perfect leg position, ready to go back to work. Its clean and simple – only important to us information is included in the frame. I can see/imagine a story of a man who can not completely relax ( arms still crossed even when lying down ) or let go of his work that he may hate and he cherishes that coffee break and enjoys a bit of sunshine, yet he’s ready to go back to his office at any moment…

Big thanks for reading guys and if you want to participate, please pick your favourite image and share on twitter with a hashtag #Mondaymasters or on your blog, we’d love to have your link and spread the love.